Obama has privately advised Biden to reconsider his re-election bid, citing diminished prospects for victory, but believes Biden must decide for himself whether to continue his campaign.
Obama's concerns follow reports from Axios indicating that Democratic leaders and allies are pressuring Biden to step aside, potentially as soon as this weekend. Despite publicly insisting that only a medical condition or divine intervention would make him withdraw, Biden is privately acknowledging the challenges posed by his age and declining poll numbers.
Conversations with top Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have reportedly conveyed the risks of Biden continuing his campaign. These leaders warned that his candidacy could jeopardize not only the presidency but also Democratic majorities in Congress.
Officially, these lawmakers deny pressuring Biden to quit. Jeffries' spokesperson confirmed a private meeting but called further characterizations speculative, emphasizing that the letter Jeffries sent to House Democrats speaks for itself. Schumer's office echoed this sentiment, dismissing reports as idle speculation.
Twenty Democrats have now urged Biden to withdraw. Rep. Adam Schiff, who is poised to win a Senate seat in California, publicly expressed his concerns, urging Biden to “pass the torch” to secure his legacy and help defeat Donald Trump. Schiff has also warned donors that Biden's unpopularity could harm Democratic chances in the House and Senate.
Publicly, Biden has maintained that only “the Lord almighty” would make him leave the race, though he acknowledged in a recent interview that a serious medical condition could also force his withdrawal. Currently recovering from COVID-19, Biden's recent public appearances have raised further concerns about his health and stamina.
The White House has downplayed Biden's COVID symptoms as mild, with the president experiencing general malaise. However, Biden's visible difficulty while descending Air Force One on Wednesday night and needing assistance to enter his vehicle have intensified scrutiny.
As Biden recovers in Delaware, the White House announced he would not be seen publicly on Thursday, further fueling speculation about his future in the 2024 race.
